Cardiff vs West Ham predictions- How do the pundits think the Hammers will fare against the Bluebirds?

After completing home and away doubles over Fulham and Newcastle, West Ham will look to do so likewise against relegation threatened Cardiff when they square off against the Bluebirds in this GW30 clash.

The Hammers beat Neil Warnock’s men 3-1 back in December in a fixture that was perhaps Lucas Perez’s best act in a West Ham jersey. Joe Ralls’ missed first half penalty cost the Bluebirds big time in that game, and they can ill afford misses like those come Saturday, with the home side third from bottom in the league table and two points adrift of safety.

Interestingly, the referee for this game, Graham Scott, is the same one who presided over the reverse fixture between the two sides at the London Stadium earlier this season. In six Premier League games under Scott as referee, West Ham have suffered only one defeat- away at Arsenal back in August.

After watching Manuel Lanzini return to action over the last fortnight, West Ham could see another key player do so in the form of Fabian Balbuena. The Paraguayan may however see action only from the bench though if Manuel Pellegrini chooses to reward Angelo Ogbonna for his fine recent performances.

Cardiff have lost their last three games by a 10-1 aggregate score, and are without the injured Sol Bamba, who is also their joint top scorer in the league this season.

Let’s take a look at the pundit predictions for this clash.

Mark Lawrenson: Lawro says that the Hammers “have improved a lot” and “look good at the back too”. Adds that Neil Warnock seems to have the ability to get results when the Bluebirds seem down and out, but reckons West Ham will take this clash 2-0.

Lawro’s celeb opponents this weekend, Tom Kerridge and Adebayo Akinfenwa, have gone for 3-1 and 2-1 victories respectively to the Hammers.

Paul Merson: Merson says the twin home losses to Watford and Everton and the manner of the defeats there have really hurt Cardiff’s campaign. Has predicted West Ham to win 2-0.

Robbie Savage: Savage, like Lawro and Merson, has gone for a 2-0 WHUFC win.

Michael Owen: Owen notes that the Hammers have lost four of their last five on the road, but reckons they’ll “have too much quality” for Neil Warnock’s men.

Paul Mariner and Ross Dyer: The ESPN duo have also backed the Hammers to emerge victorious.